Fr. Cervantes is the new parochial vicar at St. Joseph
OGDEN — On Sept. 4 Father Raul Cervantes arrived in Utah from Guanajuanto, Mexico to become the new parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden.
Fr. Cervantes was ordained in June 2001 at the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basilica de la Madre Santísima de la Luz (Holy Church Shrine of the Mother of the Holy Light) in the Diocese of León, Guanajuato, Mexico by the Monsignor Bishop José Guadalupe Martín Rábago.
The diocese now is known as the Diocese of Irapuato, Guanajuato.
Most of Fr. Cervantes’ priesthood service has been in Mexico, but Ogden is a familiar place for him because he has visited on different occasions. His first trip was in 2006 to celebrate a quinceañera for a family from his hometown.
"On that occasion I was here as a tourist and I loved this place, I loved the city and I loved the cathedral," said Fr. Cervantes.
He was invited again to celebrate a wedding, and he continued to receive similar invitations. In 2012 he met Father Javier Virgen, then the director of vocations for the Diocese of Salt Lake City and the vicar for Hispanic Affairs.
Fr. Virgen continues to serve as the vicar for Hispanic Affairs but is now pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Magna.
After the two priests talked, Fr. Cervantes was officially invited to serve as a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
In his new position, Fr. Cervantes wants to work side by side with Father Kenneth Vialpando, Saint Joseph pastor, he said.
"This parish is a very busy parish. The community is really big, especially our Latino community. … I want to assist in all the services that are needed," said Fr. Cervantes, who also is impressed to see and feel the enthusiasm of the parishioners. "This fills me with joy."
Fr. Cervantes did not arrive alone; with him came an almost 5 feet tall image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a corpus of the same height, made by the prisoners in Guanajuanto. These images are to remind every one of the parishioners at St. Joseph that God and Our Lady is always with them, Fr. Cervantes said.
"Almost all my ministry in Mexico was in the jails, and these pieces were made by hand by them. I miss my hometown and the community there, but I wanted to come here and serve in this diocese. The need is so great! I have found that people here are really hungry for God," said Fr. Cervantes.
Parishioners from St. Joseph received Fr. Cervantes with a lot of joy.
"They immediately made the cross for the Christ, and they have donated four more," said Fr. Cervantes, who wants to thank the parishioners for their kindness.
"I want to integrate myself to the plan that actually is in the diocese about the New Evangelization, promoting and being able to form a very good team of laypeople who work together. … and that we all really live and feel the presence of God in our lives, in our parish, in our families, in our jobs. We need to remember that God is with us every day, in all our lives, especially for all of us who have arrived here from other countries," he said.
Father Cervantes wants to invite everyone to the St. Joseph Parish community.
© Copyright 2024 The Diocese of Salt Lake City. All rights reserved.
Stay Connected With Us